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1780 Poor Rates Dispute

We are fortunate in that the Dorset Family Centre ( Randall v Parish Officers alleged unfairness in Poor Rates demand PE /CMO//OV2 1779- 1782) has a series of documents concerning an enquiry at Bridport on 3rd October 1780 relating to John Randall who appealed against the amount he was levied for the Poor Rate for his house and lands known as Yendovers. It cost the Churchwardens & Overseers of the Poor to the village £17-3-8d in legal expenses to fight it at the General Quarter Sessions of Dorset. John Randall was to appeal against the ammount in each of the following 2 years.
Yendovers consisted of a group of fields to the east of the river and a block of buildings and lands between the path at the side of the Old Manor and Barrs Lane on the Street in Charmouth. John Randall was the second husband of Mary Kitt who was previously married to Jacob Kitt. These would have included Charmouth Lodge,Nisa, Rupert House, Stanley House and the Star Inn with he block of land and buidings behind them.There are a number of papers covering the enquiry and from them I have extracted the data base below of the relevant information regarding the tenants and owners of properties in the village in tyhe year 1780. The Poor Rates, Highway Tax and Land Tax also exist for the same year. From this information and the refrence book for the 1783 Map of Charmouth we have a unique snapshot of the village in late Georgian England.

Coombe

William

Rectory

Rector of the said Parish

Coombe

William

Mabells

Dwelling House and Orchard late Mabals

Mr Coombe is also rated for a tenement late Elizabeth Mabells (otherwise Hammetts) who gave it him in the year 1753,she died in June of that year. And Mr Combe has been rated for it ever since by the name of Mr. combe for Mabel's 1d. Prior to the year 1750 Elizabeth Thomasin Mabel was charged 4d being for a field in the poor rate of 1768 it stands as Miss Henvill (amongst divers others) for Mabells 8d the rev Mr Combe for Mabells House 1d and thus the rate stands from thence to the present time. Except that Miss Henvill afterwards was married to then Rev. Durston and so the said from thence stood in his and since his death in her name.

Coombe

William

Adneys

Dwelling House and Lands in his possession late Adneys

Randall

John

Yendovers

Owner of Yendovers Estate

Harris

James

rented the House and part of Yendovers from 25th March 1779 to the 25th 'March 1780 at £42.16s for the year

Cook

Jether

House

dwelling House, Orchard and Lands in his possession

Webber

George

House

dwelling house, orchard and lands in his possession

Goring

John

Halson

Mr John Goring and Robert Halson as Occupier in respect of certain lands rented of the said John Goring by him and in his possession

Puddicombe

John

Wood Farm

Mr John Puddicombe and the said Robert Halson as occupier in respect of a certain Messuage or Genement called Woods

Edwards

Thomas

House

mr Thomas Edwards in respect of a Dwelling House and Orchard in his possession

Newberry

Hannah

3 Crowns

Mrs Hannah Newbury and occupier in respect of a dwelling house called the 3 Crowns and a field thereto belonging in possession of her, and her Undertenants

Aust

late Greys

Mrs Aust in respect of certain lands called late Greys and the several Occupiers hereof

Bradford

Benjamin

Bowdish

Mr Benjamin Bradford and Occupier in respect of a Dwelling House and Lands in his possession and in possession of John Bowdish his Undertenant.

Mr Benjamin Bradford complained of as being underrated in respect of a tenement and lands which he purchased about the year 1752 being part of lands which belonged to John Burridge Esq. and stood in his name in the church rates in the year 1750 and before (to wit) John Burridge Esq. for the Fountain 1s 6d ditto for Lushes 4d in all 1s 10d at the time of Mr Bradfords purchase it was agreed the rates should be divided for Lushes and part of the Fountain Lands 10d .The Fountain to remain 6d and Barrow for the other part of the†without any variation. In the year 1754 the Poor Rates were thus Benjamin Bradford for Lushes, which includes part of the Fontain Lands 10d, Jacob Burrow for Langmoor part of the Fountain Lands 6d Goring for the Fountain 6d. which makes the sum of 1s10d

Durston

Benedicta

Thornes

Mrs Durston for a tenement called Thornes or the occupier thereof now being reduced from 4d and anciently rated 3d poor rate

Durston

Benedicta

Hammetts

Mrs Durston for a tenement called Hammetts or the occupier therof being reduced from 4d as rated and before the year 1766 3d

Durston

Benedicta

Bowditch

John Bowditch for a close of ground and a stable in his occupation belonging to Mrs Benedicta Durston

Durston

Benedicta

Paul

Mrs Benedicta Durston and Mr Samuel Paul occupier of a tenement and lands called Holcomb Pain. these lands are in the parish of Catherston and not Charmouth.†

Rickard

Thomas

House

Thomas Rickard for his house , garden and Outhouses and new buildings in his own occupation

Cozens

James

House

for a house and garden in his own occupation and for one other House and garden lately in the occupation of Joseph Guppy

Cozens

James

Guppy

one other House and garden lately in the occupation of Joseph Guppy

Gray

Love

James Love for a coach house in his occupation belonging to Mr Gray

Davey

John

House

John davey for a house and Garden and orchard in his own occupation.

Lock

William

House

William Lock for a house and garden in his own occupation

Edwards

Mary

House

for her lower house and orchard in her own occuption

Follett

Benjamin

2 Houses

Benjamin Follett has 2 tenements, one of which is left at 40s a year to George Spiller who has a wife and are old and poor and the other at 45s a year to John Bovis who is a day labourer and has a wife and several children, and if either of these should be rated would bring a burden upon the parish instead of saving them and for that reason are not rated.†

At the quarter Sessions of the Peace of our Lord the king held at Bridport in and for the said County of Dorset on Tuesday in the first week after the feast of Saint Michael ,to wit, the third day of October in the twentieth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain , France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith and so forth and in she year of our Lord 1780 before Anthony Chapman ( Chairman) Thomas Rose Dawe and other Esquires Justices of our said Lord the king assigned to keep the Peace of our said Lord the king in and for the said County of Dorset and also to hear and determine diverse Felonies, Trespasses and other misdemeanours done or perpetuated in the County.
John Randall and the Church wardens and Overseers of the Parish of Charmouth
Upon an appeal made unto this court by John Randall Appellant to he Poor Rates made(Styled an equal Rate) for the necessary relief of the Poor for the said Parish of Charmouth dated on or about the 26th April last being the first rate at one half penny in the Pound for the present year and confirmed the first day of May last past by Sir William Oglander, Baronet and Henry Sheriff Doctor of Law two of his majesties Justices of the Peace and for the said County .For that by the said Rate I am greatly and unequally over Rated and assessed in respect of a Tenement called Yendovers in t he said Parish of Charmouth and the Reverend Coombe Rector of the said Parish in Respect of a Rectory of the said Parish and he Tithes and Glebe Lands here to belonging and of a dwelling House and Orchard late Mabels and another Dwelling House and Lands in his possession late Adneys.
Jether Cook in respect of a dwelling House, Orchard and Lands in his possession,
George Webber in respect of a dwelling house, orchard and lands in his possession,
Mr John Goring and Robert Halson as Occupier in respect of certain lands rented of the said John Goring by him and in his possession.
Mr John Puddicombe and the said Robert Halson as occupier in respect of a certain Messuage or Tenement called Woods.
Mr Thomas Edwards in respect of a Dwelling House and Orchard in his possession.
Mrs Hannah Newbury and occupier in respect of a dwelling house called the 3 Crowns and a field thereto belonging in possession of her, and her under tenants.
Mr Benjamin Bradford and Occupier in respect of a Dwelling House and Lands in his possession and in possession of John Bowdish his under tenant.
Mrs. Aust in respect of certain lands called late Greys and the several Occupiers hereof.All of which said Lands and premises are situate lying and being in the parish of Charmouth aforesaid are greatly and unequally under rated and assessed by the said Rate in proportion to the several Yearly Values thereof and of the said Tenement called Yendover. And Mrs Benedicta Curston and Mr Samuel Paul occupier of a tenement and lands called Holcomb Pain and the said Thomas Edwards and Mr Benjamin Follett, George Spiller and John Beavis are not rated or charged to contribute to the said Rate in respect of certain Lands and premises lying in the said Parish, as they ought to have been. And I do hereby further give you notice to produce on the Hearing of the said Appeal the 2 original books of Poor Rates belonging to the said Parish of Charmouth containing the said original Poor Rate of the said 25th April last past, the book containing the orders of Vestry of the said parish, the Book in which are netted the yearly accounts of the said Parish and the book in which are contained the Monthly accounts of the Poor of the said Parish. ...
On behalf of the said John Randall, Appellant and Mr Benjamin Follett, Solicitor on the part of the Parish of Charmouth.
... as soon as the New Rate should be made and confirmed as aforesaid the said John Randall, the Appellant to pay to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish of Charmouth for the time being or to their successors all arrears due and owing to the said Old Rate or Assessment.

John Paul , son of Samuel Paul to prove his renting of Holcomb Pain of Mrs Durston, but this lies in the Parish of Catherston, the witness does not know it ,but the respondent have the lease of the Premises to produce and also Catherstone Poor Rate.
Edward Burridge is to prove the value of Mr. Bradford Estate, but he is joint occupier with his Brother and so interested.
The respondents Evidence
To prove that Mr James Harris rented the House and part of Yendovers from 25th March 1779 to the 25th 'March 1780 at £42.16s for the year. But he seems to be in some connection with the appellant and will say its believed that he was impordon by the Appellant so you will examine him with caution.
That Mr Bradford Estate is rated now as always call for the Churchwardens poor rates and if necessary a deed which was drawn up but not executed at the time of the purchase 4 October 1753.
The Rev Coombes Rector been rated at 12d. Row it at £24 and of late years
The Rectory will appear by the Clergyman's Intelligencer printed in 1746 was in the gift of Anthony Ellesdon at £30 p.a. And has always . He has advanced the tithes but othomh near as much in proportion as Mr Randall's Estates are. Mr Coombe is also rated for a tenement late Elizabeth Mabells (otherwise Hammetts) who gave it him in the year 1753 , she died in June of that year. And Mr Coombe has been rated for it ever since by the name of Mr. combe for Mabel's 1d.Mr Randall thinks that he Rectory of Chamouth is of greater value than it is by reason of the Rectory of Catherston. in a distinct parish being annexed from Charmouth makes that of greater value ...
Prior to the year 1750 Elizabeth Thomasin Mabel was charged 4d being for a filed in the poor rate of 1768 it stands as Miss Henvill (amongst divers others) for Mabells 8d the rev Mr Combe for Mabells House 1d
And thus the rate stands from thence to the present time. Except that Miss Henvill afterwards was married to then Rev. Mr Durston and so the said from thence stood in his and since his death in her name.
Mr Benjamin Bradford next complained of as being underrated in respect of a tenement and lands which he purchased about the year 1752 being part of lands which belonged to John Burridge Esq. and stood in his name in the church rates in the year 1750 and before (to wit) john Burridge Esq for the Fountain 1s6d ditto for Lushes 4d in all 1s 10d at the time of Mr Bradfords purchase it was agreed the rates should be divided for Lushes and part of the Fountain Lands 10d .The Fountain to remain 6d and Barrow for the other part of the la nds which he had purchased and were rated with the Fountain 6d which makes the sum of 1s10d without any variation. In the year 1754 the Poor Rates were thus Benjamin Bradford for Lushes, which includes part of the Fountain Lands 10d, Jacob Burrow for Langmoor part of the Fountain Lands 6d Goring fort he Fountain 6d.
Mrs durst there is o such person in the rate, there is a Mrs Aust for lands late Mrs Grays which are rated just the same as in the proceeding was.
Mrs Bendicta Durston and Mr Samuel Paul for Holcombe Pain. These lands are in the parish of Catherstine, and not Charmouth.
Thomas Edward. His not being rated is meant in respect of a stable, which is built upon lands which are rated to he poor and paid by Benjamin Follett has 2 tenants one of which is left at 40s a year to George Spiller who has a wife and are old and poor and the other at 45s a year to John Bovis who is a day labourers and has a wife and several children, and if either of these should be rated would bring a burden upon the parish instead of saving them and for that reason are not rated.